Tortellini Caprese Salad Recipe
A fresh and flavorful Tortellini Caprese Salad combining cheesy tortellini, juicy cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and fresh spinach and basil, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing with Italian herbs. This chilled salad is perfect as a light lunch or a side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 20 oz cheese tortellini, uncooked (approximately 5 cups uncooked)
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
Dressing and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 7-9 minutes. Drain the tortellini and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: While the tortellini cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the spinach and basil, and mince the garlic cloves. Set all these ingredients aside ready for mixing.
- Combine and Dress the Salad: In a medium to large mixing bowl, add the cooked tortellini, spinach, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, chopped basil, and minced garlic. Pour in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the top. Toss thoroughly to combine all ingredients well and evenly distribute the dressing.
- Chill Before Serving: Place the salad in the refrigerator and chill until ready to serve. Just before serving, toss the salad again to redistribute any dressing that has settled at the bottom. Add more olive oil if the salad seems dry. Optionally, drizzle with balsamic glaze for a touch of sweetness and extra flavor.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will keep well for up to 5 days, making it a great make-ahead dish.
Notes
- For best results, use a good quality balsamic vinegar and olive oil to enhance the flavors.
- Adding the balsamic glaze is optional but provides a nice sweet-tart finish.
- This salad can be served as a side dish or a light main course.
- You can substitute fresh mozzarella pearls with bocconcini cheese if unavailable.
- Make sure to toss the salad well before serving to keep it evenly dressed and flavorful.
Keywords: tortellini salad, caprese salad, Italian salad, mozzarella salad, vegetarian salad, pasta salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe
Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/tortellini-caprese-salad-recipe/
